sob story

noun

: a sentimental story or account intended chiefly to evoke sympathy or sadness

Examples of sob story in a Sentence

She told a sob story about how she had to starve herself to pay for the rent.

I don't want to hear any of your sob stories.

Recent Examples on the Web

From there, we’re treated to Clark’s memory of hearing Carol’s domestic sob story right after a thorough pegging. —Andy Andersen, Vulture, 16 Mar. 2026

On top of this, Tina has opened a new fundraising page with a sob story about her cancer returning and being hospitalized about a week before that request. —Jeanne Phillips, Mercury News, 10 Mar. 2026

This was a big, fat softball thrown right over the middle of the plate for all three finalists — a chance to show off a personal sob story and connect with the jury on a deeply emotional level. —Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Dec. 2025

This square might show up as wanting to do everything yourself financially while your friends are literally offering help, or being overly generous with your resources because someone’s sob story pulled on your heartstrings. —Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 7 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1913, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for sob story

• aurore
• forbore
• outlawry
• pylori
• savoury
• signori
• signory
• vainglory
• accusatory
• admonitory
• ambulatory
• amendatory